Agenda item

The Chairman introduced the item which would start with the regular Brent Cross Update.  An overview of plans for the shopping centre would be presented by Mike McGuiness of Hammerson PLC.

Mr McGuiness thanked the Chairman and commenced by informing the meeting that that today the 11^th July was a momentous day as all the legal documentation for Brent Cross North and South had been completed.  The CPO Inquiry sittings were also all completed on Friday 8^th July.

The presentation demonstrated to Members the significance of the scheme which would result in Brent Cross becoming one of the top 4 new shopping and leisure destinations in the UK within a new 30 acre urban community with new and upgraded transport links.  The development would comprise the following:

• 300 acre mixed use regeneration plan – New London Quarter
• New Town Centre – 25 year plan
• Extended Shopping Centre
• 7,500 new homes
• Major infrastructure
• 27,000 new jobs
• 7,000 jobs in Phase 1

The Chairman welcomed the update and invited questions from members who in addition thanked Mr McGuiness for an interesting and informative presentation.

Following numerous questions and queries, the Chairman introduced the main body of the Brent Cross report and informed members that there had been minor changes to CPO the boundary taking into account land that had become part of people’s gardens over time and which were no longer proposed for acquisition. He then invited discussion from members on the CPO No 3 report.

There was discussion on ways to improve access to Brent Cross and Hendon underground stations for example through bus links and bespoke bus and airport style rail shuttles. The new Thameslink station was also debated and ways to improve the walking route when the new community is established. It was agreed that Transport for London should be kept in the loop as Brent Cross develops. Councillor Cooke asked whether a transport route is being safeguarded for a potential rapid transport system and what the projection is for shoppers by car in 2021.  The response was that modal shift will change constantly over time and people will begin to change the way they plan their journeys in response to Brent Cross developments for example in line with new work and leisure patterns. Currently there is no evening economy.  Councillor Cornelius talked about the likely increase in cycling as permeability from the north improves as a result of a network of walking and cycling routes.

Councillor Rosenberg raised the point that in a project of this size it is important to understand the implications of fluctuations in the commercial floorspace rental market and construction costs.

Councillor Zinkin requested that Ward Councillors be invited to community meetings by Hammerson, similar to those undertaken by Argent Related. Mike McGuinness agreed to consider how best to achieve this.

Councillor Grover queried whether there are conditions attached to pre-letting agreements and was informed that a stepped approach has been adopted starting with anchor stores, which are the draw for other retailers, and moving on to major space users.

Councillor Cooke asked whether the North London Waste Authority’s (NLWA) plans to relocate the rail transfer station at Hendon would interfere with development plans for the Brent Cross area.  Officers responded that this had been factored into the timetable. Councillor Cooke also asked for the meeting to note that NLWA’s Pinkham Way site - which had previously been considered for residual waste management facilities - will remain allocated for employment uses, even though expansion of the Edmonton plant is proposed.

Following discussion, the Chairman invited Members to vote on the report recommendations.

Committee RESOLVED:

That the content of this report was noted and recommended the following to full Council for approval:

• That a compulsory purchase order (CPO) be made pursuant to the powers in section 226(1)(a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) for the acquisition of the land shaded pink on the plan at CPO Plans and pursuant to section 13 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 to acquire new rights in respect of the land shaded blue on the CPO Plans.

• Authorise the appropriate Chief Officers to settle the final form and content of the draft CPO, the CPO Plans and Statement of Reasons.

• Authorise the appropriate Chief Officers to take all necessary steps to secure confirmation of the CPO and the acquisition of all third party interests in the CPO and of the new rights. This authorisation includes the publication and advertisement of the CPO, serving statutory notices, and seeking confirmation of the CPO.

• In pursuance of its statutory duty to treat, authorise the appropriate Chief Officers to enter into agreements and make undertakings, contracts and transfers on behalf of the Council with third parties having an interest in the CPO or for the creation of new rights or with parties otherwise affected by the CPO to facilitate the development.

• Authorise the appropriate Chief Officers following confirmation of the CPO to authorise the publication and service of all appropriate notices of confirmation of the CPO and to make one or more general vesting declarations or serve notices to treat and notices of entry (as appropriate) in respect of the land within the CPO (“the Order Land”).

• Authorise the appropriate Chief Officers to initiate or take part in any arbitration or proceedings before the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) or the Courts in order to resolve any disputes as to compensation or other payments payable for any interests in the Order Land or arising from the making or confirmation of the CPO or securing possession of any part of the Order Land or title to any part of the Order Land.

The vote was as follows: